ワナビー日本人
wanabī nihonjin
The English term "weeaboo" can be translated into Japanese as ワナビー日本人 (wanabī nihonjin).
This phrase describes a person who is obsessed with Japanese culture and possesses a strong desire to be Japanese.
How do you pronounce it?
wanabī nihonjin
Did you know?
- While ワナビー日本人 is used for foreigners, Japanese people use the term 逆輸入 'reverse import' to describe when a foreign fan's obsession makes a Japanese hobby popular in its own home country.
- In Japanese social media, the concept of a 'weeaboo' is sometimes categorized under オタク 'otaku', but the two are distinct because オタク can be a Japanese person obsessed with their own culture.
- Japanese speakers often use the term 日本文化に憧れる人 'people who long for Japanese culture' in formal settings because ワナビー日本人 can sound mocking or derogatory.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are talking about a foreign acquaintance.
- 蓮 Renあの人、本当に日本文化に執着してるね。Ano hito, hontō ni nihon bunka ni shūchaku shiteru ne.That person is really obsessed with Japanese culture.
- 美咲 Misakiうん、典型的なワナビー日本人だと思うよ。Un, tenkeiteki na wanabī nihonjin da to omou yo.Yeah, I think they are a typical weeaboo.
- 蓮 Ren日本語の話し方もわざとらしいよね。Nihongo no hanashikata mo wazatorashii yo ne.The way they speak Japanese is also forced, right?
- 美咲 Misakiそうね、ちょっとやりすぎだと思う。Sō ne, chotto yarisugi da to omou.True, I think it's a bit too much.
